Super Sunday

I know it's been a little quiet here on the blog, but you know I couldn't let Super Bowl XLVI go by without posting! This year's Super Bowl fete was all about the dips. My contributions included a classic and a new comber.

{Rocco's Tacos Famous Guacamole}

Always a hit. It's a staple at his restaurants. Get the recipe here.

{Green Chile Dip}

Rachael Ray called it zippy. I didn't think it had much zip, tasted mostly like feta. Cream cheese, feta, salsa Verde, jalapenos...how can you go wrong? Recipe here.

Well, football is over for a while folks. What to do until it returns? Hopefully more cooking, eating, traveling and blogging! Until then!

xoxo,

H

A hit and a miss

OK, not really a miss, but maybe a tie....not exciting, but not disappointing. This week I made a recipe from the Rachel Ray collection I have growing in my recipe binder......Mac n Cheese Jalapeno Poppers. Sounds great right?! Two favorites in one bite! Well, not so much. I have to say, they were just OK. For all the prepping of the peppers- thanks Mark!- and making the cheese sauce, the final product was a little lacking in the excitement category. Here is the recipe for you though, in case you want to make your own call on this one!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/mac-n-cheese-jalapeno-poppers/

Now, for the hit! This is a recipe my sister and I both saw on a Food Network show a few weeks ago. We both fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to make it! The next day, another sister emails me the recipe.....a sign it HAD to be made! There are many recipes for Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip out there, and they all are similar, and yes, they all taste JUST like eating a chicken wing! Well, thanks to Jan for trying this one out, not once, but THREE times this weekend! That's how much of a HIT it was! I put the last one together, so I can take at least part credit! :) By the way, it is SO simple and easy, it is sure to be a staple at football parties for years to come! Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/buffalo-chicken-dip-recipe/index.html

tip: serve with celery sticks, then it really tastes like the real thing!

Bam!

I have had this recipe in my arsenal for a long time, given to me by my friend Sheri years ago. She swore this was a great go-to for football parties....and she was RIGHT! It is a warm corn dip from Emeril, and boy did he kick this one up a notch- it's got a bite to it! It is pretty labor intensive, but the outcome is worth it! It made a good size casserole dish full, so it fed a lot of folks. Perfect for a Fall Football Sunday. I will definitely make this one again. Thanks Sheri!

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/dip-recipes/warm-corn-dip.htm

tip: use the new Fritos scoops, they work much better that the original.

Dip Baby Dip!

So I guess I have been on a dip kick lately, because I just had to try this dip yesterday. I saw Rachel Ray making it on Oprah, and I knew if Oprah could do it, I could do it better! It was definitely not the mega hit as last week's dip, but it was delicious in it's own right. I think it actually tasted better the longer it sat out. It was very easy to make, but I do admit that spreading the cold cheese was a bit of a pain, but fingers work well in a pinch! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.oprah.com/article/food/recipesappetizers/20090408-tows-rachael-ray-dip

Take note of the football printed Ritz crackers! I swear it makes them taste better, even though most guests preferred the cucumbers!

The new "IT" dip!

I saw this recipe last month in a Kraft publication of all places! It struck my fancy, so I did what I always do....rip it out and put it in my recipe binder. Then comes Labor Day and I was in charge of chips and dip for the party I was attending. I pulled out my binder and found this little gem in there....a dip to be cooked on the grill? Perfect! I took it to the party and it was beyond a hit! Everyone loved it! I was lucky to even get a bit myself! I made it the next two weekends and it got RAVE reviews from everyone on both occasions. Well, it's settled folks, this one is a keeper! I happen to think what makes it so good is the pesto from my homegrown basil, so I included that for recipe for you too....enjoy!

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/warm-italiano-spread-113699.aspx

suggestion: try the new Fire Roasted Triscuits with this instead, it works very well together!

Pesto:

2 cups fresh basil

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt & pepper

Blend all ingredients in food processor until smooth.